PHOTOS: El Modena edges Dana Hills in playoff overtime thriller

El Modena quarterback Jack Keays finds the end zone for the overtime victory as the fog settles onto the field. (Photos courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone)

Dana Hills and El Modena football teams battled it out Thursday night in the opening round of the CIF Division 5 playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium.

In the end, third-seeded El Modena was able to pull out a 23-20 victory in overtime over the Dolphins to advance into the quarterfinal round of the playoffs against the winner of Friday’s game between San Jacinto and Beaumont.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo:

El Modena Coach Matt Mitchell talks with his players in the fog after Thursday's game.

Dana Hills quarterback Bo Kelly eludes an El Modena defender.

El Modena's Elijah Wu defends the pass to Omarjaye Black of Dana Hills.

El Modena's Arturo Barcenas stretches out in an attempt to block the field goal by Kian Afrookhteh of Dana Hills.

Owen Smith picks up yards for El Modena.

James Allemann hauls in a pass for Dana Hills

Blake Armstrong of El Modena delivers a solid punt.

El Modena quarterback Jack Keays connects with a receiver near the sidelines.

El Modena's Elishah Jackett, who has two D1 offers, matches up against Jagger Wiesen of Dana Hills (No. 20).

Owen Smith of El Modena is forced out of bounds.

Quarterback Jack Keays led the charge for the Vanguards (7-4) and scored the game-winning TD in overtime. Dana Hills (8-3) was led offensively by standout quarterback Bo Kelly.

El Modena Coach Matt Mitchell was proud of his the effort of his squad, which had lost its last three league games.

“Our kids have battled the last three weeks and came up short, so proud of them sticking together and battling it out to the end,” Mitchell said Friday. “Dana Hills is a great team and it was an exciting game.”

Owen Smith also contrbuted on offense for El Modena, Mitchell said.